The Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Program (Program) at the Department of Health (Department) was established in 1998 as a result of Act 71.The Program provides leadership and direction for program development at the state and local level.

The focus of the Department’s Program is to raise public awareness and educate consumers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and human service providers on the causes and effects of osteoporosis, risk factors, early detection, and options for diagnosis and treatment.

The Department supports the efforts of six Health District Chronic Disease Nurse Consultants, ten County Municipal Health Departments, and other partnerships to provide community-based osteoporosis outreach and educational programs.Established prevention and health promotion programs target at-risk and disparate groups in the following Bone Health Age categories: Bone Building Years (infancy to 30), Bone Maintenance Years (ages 31-50), and Bone Loss Years (ages 51 and older).

According to the 2004 Surgeon General's Osteoporosis and Bone Health Report released on October 14, 2004 by Dr. Richard Carmona, the United States Surgeon General, half of Americans over age 50 by 2020 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass if no immediate action is taken. The report is a call for national action to improve and maintain healthy bones. One of the most dangerous myths about osteoporosis is that only women need to worry about bone health. In fact, osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, and while bone weakness manifests in older Americans, strong bones begin in childhood

According to the 2004 Surgeon General's Osteoporosis and Bone Health Report released on October 14, 2004 by Dr. Richard Carmona, the United States Surgeon General, half of Americans over age 50 by 2020 will be at risk for fractures from osteoporosis and low bone mass if no immediate action is taken. The report is a call for national action to improve and maintain healthy bones. One of the most dangerous myths about osteoporosis is that only women need to worry about bone health. In fact, osteoporosis affects men and women of all races, and while bone weakness manifests in older Americans, strong bones begin in childhood

Osteoporosis is preventable…
Not inevitable.
Act 71 - Pennsylvania Osteoporosis Prevention and Education Act was ratified on June 30, 1998.